The Bahamas Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) fishery is the world’s first Caribbean fishery to join the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) programme.
On 7 August, the fishery was awarded MSC certification by accredited third-party assessment body Control Union Pesca Ltd. for meeting the MSC sustainability standard. The Bahamas is now among the 8% of MSC-certified fisheries from developing countries.
Brian Perkins, MSC’s regional director for the Americas, said: “Congratulations to the Bahamas Marine Exporters Association (BMEA) on this notable achievement, and for their years of hard work alongside partners to improve the fishery. We’re thrilled to welcome this fishery to the program, and to provide consumers with a sustainable option for lobster tails, for this generation and those to come.”
19-month assessment
The detailed 19-month assessment included review and input by a team of fishery science and policy experts to evaluate the fishery according to the three principles of the MSC Fisheries Standard: the health of the stock of spiny lobster; the impact of fishing on the marine environment; and the management of the fishery.
Lobster fishermen and other members of the client group worked closely with government and researchers in the Bahamas to improve the fishery to the level required by the MSC Standard. With the certification, the lobster tails are now eligible to carry the internationally recognized MSC blue fish label.
“We eagerly accept the MSC stamp of approval,” said Mia Isaacs, president of Bahamas Marine Exporters Association (BMEA).
Since 2009, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), BMEA, The Bahamas Department of Marine Resources and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), have been driving improvements to the fishery. Through a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) addressing governance, fishing practices, and environmental impacts, their efforts have been aimed at helping the fishery meet the MSC standard
